-
Continue reading →: Lights Out: Eyesight, Parkinson’s, and the Chocolate FactoryThe conveyor belt of Parkinson’s symptoms never stops moving. It’s up to us and our care partners to anticipate what’s coming down the chute. Here’s a story of a scary new symptom that surprised a PD warrior on the road. Bonus: Johnny Bench sings!
-
Continue reading →: Stuck in the System: Those Administrative Hassles May Be DeliberateIf you’ve ever appealed an insurance denial, tried to get a refund from an airline, or navigated a particularly difficult automated phone tree, you’ve dealt with “sludge” — deliberate corporate obstacles designed to wear you down until you give up. Here’s a peek behind the sludgy curtain, and one possible way to generate small victories.
-
Continue reading →: Bill Plaschke Knows How to Make an AnnouncementA longtime LA Times columnist announces his Parkinson’s diagnosis on a big stage. And this blogger takes up Sudoku. Bonus: salutes to Sly Stone, Brian Wilson and Norman Moreau.
-
Continue reading →: Can I Blame Golf?A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows a relationship between golf courses and Parkinson’s. The relationship may affect even those who don’t golf — like me.
-
Continue reading →: If You Had a Magic Parkinson’s WandSometimes the most important issue on a patient’s mind gets missed during a neurology appointment. A technique borrowed from the world of sales might make our interactions more impactful. Bonus: radically re-worked versions of “Inna Gadda Da Vida” and “Folsom Prison Blues.”
-
Continue reading →: My Weekend of OverreactingIn which Phil freaks out over a minor brain cramp, tests himself, and concludes he’s still okay. Probably. Bonus: a tiny hamster eating tiny burritos, “Hotel California” if it had been played by a different, highly-regarded band, and an Eastern European orchestra performing an Ike & Tina Turner hit to the best of their ability.
-
Continue reading →: Overcoming Barriers to ExerciseExercise is the only thing proven to slow the progression of Parkinson’s — but even as we need it more, many of us do it less. Barriers can be physical, financial, or motivational. Here are some ways to get past some of the barriers so you can get started.
-
Continue reading →: Parkinson’s Is Salesforce: A 5am EpiphanyOn some days, the fight against Parkinson’s takes on the characteristics of my sales career — if we don’t do the right things consistently, the results will hold us accountable. Bonus: a Motorhead cover with a horn section and a Jimmy Page guitar solo done bluegrass-style.
-
Continue reading →: We Missed the PlaneParkinson’s adds a layer of uncertainty to our plans, and can really do a number on our risk tolerance. I didn’t realize how much mine had been affected until we attempted to plan a trip to Japan. Bonus: a startling Public Service Announcement from 1969, and a ska version of the “Get Smart” theme.
-
Continue reading →: Awareness and Action: Your Voice MattersAs Parkinson’s Awareness Month gets underway, now’s the time to make Congress aware of the need to preserve crucial research funding. Here are some ideas on how to get noticed.
Hello,
I’m Phil Bernstein
I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease on May 25, 2023. At the time, I was only vaguely aware of Parkinson’s — primarily from articles in People about Michael J. Fox. And I didn’t know anyone with the disease.
Now, I know a lot more about the illness, and I’ve joined the Parkinson’s community in my hometown of Portland, Oregon.
I’ve found that writing helps me think through challenges, and this illness definitely qualifies as a challenge. I’ve started Shakin’ Street to help me think through the various obstacles, tools, and resources that a newly-diagnosed Parkinson’s patient encounters along the way.
I hope some of these posts help you address and tackle your own challenges.
Shakin' Street -- A Parkinson's Blog 